Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Bogotá
You'll touch down in Bogotá and head through the airport to collect your luggage. From there, it's a transfer to your accommodation where you'll check in and get settled. Spend the rest of the day adjusting to the altitude and soaking in that mix of mountain air and city energy. Take it easy tonight so you're ready to explore tomorrow.
Landmarks Bogotá 
- Day 2
Bogotá
Start at Cerro de Monserrate, the local mountain just outside the city. You can hike up, take the cable car, or hop on the funicular to reach the top where you'll get panoramic views of Bogotá and the Andes spreading out below. From there, walk through La Candelaria district with its pink balconies, yellow colonial buildings, and lots of street art covering the walls.
Included Activities
- Visit Cerro de Monserrate
Optional Activities
- Hike to top of Cerro de Monserrate
- Cable car to Cerro de Monserrate
- Funicular to Cerro de Monserrate
- Explore La Candelaria district
Landmarks Cerro de Monserrate La Candelaria - Day 3
Bogotá
Begin at Simón Bolívar Park where you can rent a bike and cruise around on the wide paths, then try paddling across the lake if you want. After that, head over to Usaquén district to check out the boutiques and creative markets. Grab lunch at La Puerta Falsa for the real deal with tamales and hot chocolate, which is how locals do it.
- Meals
- Lunch (Colombian experience at La Puerta Falsa - tamales and hot chocolate)
Included Activities
- Lunch at La Puerta Falsa restaurant
Optional Activities
- Bike rental in Simón Bolívar Park
- Paddle across the lake in Simón Bolívar Park
- Explore Usaquén district
Landmarks Simón Bolívar Park Usaquén La Puerta Falsa - Day 4
Bogotá to Salento
Head to the airport for your flight to Pereira. Once you land, you'll drive through the countryside into Salento, a colorful town in the heart of the coffee region. Check into your place and walk along Calle Real to see all those painted house facades. Sit down with a local coffee and soak in the café culture that defines this area.
Included Activities
- Flight from Bogotá to Pereira
Optional Activities
- Coffee break in Salento
Landmarks Salento Calle Real 
- Day 5
Salento
Wake early and walk to El Mirador viewpoint where you'll see Salento's colorful houses dotting the hillside above the jungle. Spend time wandering through Calle Real and Plaza Bolívar, dropping into small cafés and shops along the way. If you're interested, you can take a ride in a colorful Willi jeep to visit coffee farms where they'll show you how it's grown and let you taste some too.
Optional Activities
- Hike to El Mirador viewpoint
- Jeep tour to coffee farms in colorful Willi jeeps
- Coffee tasting and production tour at local coffee farms
Landmarks El Mirador Plaza Bolívar - Day 6
Cocora Valley
Set out on a jeep ride to Cocora Valley where you'll find the world's tallest palm trees reaching about 60 meters high. You'll hike through jungle trails with knee-high grass and giant ferns, keeping an eye out for wildlife. There's a lunch break with traditional Colombian food before you head back to Salento in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional Colombian dishes)
Included Activities
- Jeep tour to Cocora Valley
- Guided hike through Cocora Valley trails
- Lunch with traditional Colombian dishes
Landmarks Cocora Valley - Day 7
Salento
Leave early for a hike to Santa Rita waterfalls, trekking through dense jungle while you listen to streams running and watch for colorful birds and animals. Take a dip in the waterfall to cool off, then head back to town. Later on, check out local galleries or join a DIY art workshop. Finish the evening stargazing at Cerro Mirador where you can see the Milky Way.
Included Activities
- Guided hike to Santa Rita waterfalls
Optional Activities
- DIY art workshop in Salento
- Local art galleries visit
- Stargazing at Cerro Mirador
Landmarks Santa Rita waterfalls Cerro Mirador - Day 8
Salento to Medellín
Board a bus from Salento to Medellín, watching green mountains roll by for hours. Once you arrive in the city, check in and grab a Colombian coffee. Spend your evening walking around to see the transformation from the city's difficult past to its current status as an innovative hub. You'll spot futuristic skyscrapers, sky bars, green parks, and street art everywhere.
Optional Activities
- Explore futuristic skyscrapers
- Visit sky bars
- Explore green spaces and street art
Landmarks Medellín 
- Day 9
Medellín
Explore Comuna 13, the neighborhood that's completely reinvented itself through street art and community projects. Walk up the escalators while taking in bold murals with political and creative messages. After that, take the cable car to Santo Domingo, which lifts you high above the city before you descend into the green forests of Parque Arví.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Comuna 13 with local English-speaking guide
- Cable car to Santo Domingo
- Visit to Parque Arví
Landmarks Comuna 13 Santo Domingo Parque Arví - Day 10
Guatapé
Leave Medellín and drive to Guatapé, known for its incredibly colorful house facades with zócalos showing local scenes and stories. Jump on a boat through the lake to see distinctive rock formations and the ruins of a former villa. Then tackle the 650 steps up Piedra del Peñol for fantastic views of the reservoir and surrounding landscape.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Guatapé with local English-speaking guide
- Boat trip through Guatapé lake district
- Hike to summit of Piedra del Peñol
Landmarks Guatapé Piedra del Peñol 
- Day 11
Arrival in Santa Marta
Fly to Santa Marta and feel that Caribbean warmth hit you immediately. Explore the old town with its brightly colored colonial houses and palm trees everywhere, with Sierra de Nevada mountains rising in the background. Spend your evening at Parque de los Novios where you'll find fresh ceviche, tropical drinks, and locals dancing.
Included Activities
- Flight from Medellín to Santa Marta
Optional Activities
- Explore old town of Santa Marta
- Visit Parque de los Novios
Landmarks Santa Marta Parque de los Novios Sierra de Nevada de Santa Marta - Day 12
Tayrona National Park
Head into Tayrona National Park to hike to El Pueblito, an ancient Tayrona settlement buried in rainforest. You'll start at Calabazo with water and supplies, hiking through green terrain for about 2 hours while spotting howler monkeys and toucans. Once you reach the ruins, continue toward Cabo San Juan for a swim in the Caribbean, then finish at Cañaveral where you can grab street food.
- Meals
- Lunch (Street food from locals)
Included Activities
- Guided hike to El Pueblito ancient ruins
- Guided hike to Cabo San Juan
- Visit to Tayrona National Park
Optional Activities
- Swimming in Caribbean Sea at Cabo San Juan
Landmarks Tayrona National Park El Pueblito Cabo San Juan Cañaveral 
- Day 13
Tayrona National Park
Kayak through Rio Piedras where mangroves line the water and monkeys swing overhead. The pace is relaxed as you drift toward a hidden lagoon. After that, take a bus to Playa Arenilla where you'll snorkel in turquoise water to see colorful corals and tropical fish, maybe even rays or turtles. Finish with fresh ceviche while watching the sunset.
- Meals
- Snack (Fresh ceviche from locals)
Included Activities
- Kayak tour on Rio Piedras through mangroves
Optional Activities
- Snorkeling at Playa Arenilla
- Snorkel rental at Playa Arenilla
Landmarks Rio Piedras Playa Arenilla - Day 14
Santa Marta to Cartagena
Ride the bus along the coast from Santa Marta to Cartagena, watching palm trees and sea views pass by. Once you arrive, walk through the old town with its historic palaces and pastel-colored houses. Horse-drawn carriages and street musicians create atmosphere as you explore. Try local Caribbean dishes like fried fish, patacones, and ceviche for dinner.
Optional Activities
- Explore old town of Cartagena
- Caribbean cuisine dining
Landmarks Cartagena 
- Day 15
Cartagena
Visit Castillo San Felipe, an impressive fortress with great views over Cartagena and the Caribbean. Head back to the old town to check out the colorful colonial buildings and talk with locals. Later, walk to the beach for a swim at La Boquila, Bocagrande, or Playa Marbella, each with its own character and charm.
Included Activities
- Visit Castillo San Felipe fortress
Optional Activities
- Beach day at La Boquila
- Beach day at Bocagrande
- Beach day at Playa Marbella
Landmarks Castillo San Felipe La Boquila Bocagrande Playa Marbella - Day 16
Cartagena
Wander through Getsemaní, Cartagena's creative neighborhood that's transformed into a vibrant area full of street art and hip cafés. Check out Calle de Las Sombrillas with its floating umbrellas and Calle de la Sierpe covered in national flag murals. When sunset comes around, live music and street performers fill the plazas, turning the streets into a Caribbean party.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Getsemaní district
Optional Activities
- Fruity smoothie drinks
- Street performances and live music
Landmarks Getsemaní Calle de Las Sombrillas Calle de la Sierpe - Day 17
Departure from Cartagena
Pack your bags this morning and head to the airport for your flight home. As the plane takes off, reflect on everything you've done across Colombia from the mountains to the Caribbean coast, and you'll already be thinking about when you can come back.
Included Activities
- Flight from Cartagena back home
- Day 18
Arrival Home
You've landed and made it back home. Collect your luggage and head out. Now comes the fun part of telling everyone about your Colombian adventures and looking through all your photos and memories.
